Why do we create? I believe it is because we have to. There is an intrinsic drive calling to us. Some don’t feel it as strongly as others. I’m of the latter population; I can’t remember when I didn’t have the calling.
So you create something, then what do you do with it? Years ago, after making so many things and gifting them away, I decided I had saturated my pool of recipients. In order to have another outlet, I decided to make a business from my art and sell my work. Its been a journey of twists and turns with feelings of great motivation and other times great disappointments. This is the path I signed up for.
Art has a way of connecting with people, so I also like to get it seen. Last month I had the honor to send “The Messenger” on a road trip to La Connor, Washington. I was excited packing it up and, after paying a goodly amount on shipping, I sent it on a truck ride across country. The box was suppose to arrive one day before the deadline, … however, it didn’t.
This is the ups and downs of being an artist. While the box was in transit you can’t tell where it is. I kept pulling up the tracking number and … waiting. A couple days after the delivery deadline, I decided to inquire with the shipper. Thankfully, I received a quick response back that the box was safely sitting at the distribution center – 20 minute drive from the museum! They were short staffed and had to wait to send the shipment on to its final destination. What a relief that it was safe, but would it get there in time for hanging?
I can say prior to calling, my worst fears were running through my head. I envisioned the box and quilt destroyed. Or maybe lost or stolen. My anxiety was high. I notified the museum and … we waited.
The thing is we have to have faith that everything will be OK. When my brain moved to worried thinking, I had to pull myself back from the edge by calmly thinking “be patient, it will be ok!”
You can see from the photos that it did make it on time. Deep breath. The lesson learned is hang tight, everything will be alright, this is just another roller coaster of life.
See “The Messenger” at the
5th Annual Birds of a Fiber Exhibit at
Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum
Jan 26 – Feb 27, 2022
La Conner, Washington
I’m proud of you. I find it is the scariest thing to send one’s art. I think of my paintings as one of my students I have trained. And the painting got to be so old or good at X.
Thanks Tommy,
I do it often enough that I’m not too scared about sending them. This was the first experience that it didn’t go as planned. Heard so many horror stories about lost or damaged shipped quilts. I did have enough insurance on it to cover the “for sale” price, but that does really make up for the lost child.
I would have been in a complete panic! Wow. A lesson in “letting go”. During this time of isolation, I can easily find myself “micro” managing everything. Just having sent 3 pieces to the west coast, I think I held my breath until I heard from the receiver…
Totally understand. I sent this one “freight” during snow storms, so it really had me worried. Delivery date was 7 days after it left the FedEx store. Then it took almost another 7 days to get delivered. Yes, this was a bit difficult to handle. Breathe.